Location: Vatican City
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The 10 Best Sights & Landmarks in Vatican City, Lazio
Sure, Vatican City is tiny—110 acres—but it houses the world's largest Catholic church (St. Peter's Basilica) and has perhaps the best collection of artistic masterpieces in the world (the Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo's Pieta, the Laocoon Group, etc.). And maybe only 800 people live here, but one of them's the Pope. It's a pretty good argument for quality over quantity.
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1. La Pieta
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4,551 reviews
The most beautiful work inside St. Peter's Cathedral is Michelangelo's famous La Pietà, considered by many to be the most moving piece of sculpture ever created.
Reviewed By ChiefGuru - Decatur, United States
Michelangelo Buonarroti was only twenty four years old when he created this magnificent Renaissance sculpture: “the pity”. The Pietà is considered by many to be his greatest work, besting even David and the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. He carved this from one piece of white Carrara marble over the course of two years (1498-1499). This is the only signed work of Michelangelo. La Pieta is housed with St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. Upon entering St. Peter's Basilica, La Pieta can be found on the right hand side in the first chapel. La Pieta is Michelangelo's unprecedented interpretation of he body of Jesus on the lap of his mother Mary after his Crucifixion. He decided to give Mary a youthful appearance to demonstrate her closeness to God as well as a reflection of her internal beauty. Both Mary and Jesus have a look of peace and acceptance on their faces. The sculpture is five feet nine inches by six feet five inches. French Cardinal Jean de Billheres, who served the church in Rome, wanted to be remembered after he died. He hired Michelangelo to achieve his goal by making a memorial for his tomb that would capture a popular Northern European art scene: the tragic moment of the Virgin Mary taking Jesus down from the cross. La Pieta is indeed a stupendous work of sculpture and should definitely be seen when visiting Rome.
2. Cupola di San Pietro
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3,323 reviews
Reviewed By Jwallace_83 - San Mateo, United States
The views from above are wild!! You can see the entire Vatican City, and Rome on a clear day. Worth the steps and spiral staircase. Wasn’t sure where it was going at first but it was well worth it!!
3. Cappella Redemptoris Mater
4. St. Peter's Square
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8,805 reviews
This grand and magnificent square has retained its classical beauty and serves as the place from which the masses receive the Pope's weekly blessing.
Reviewed By Ius84 - Fairfax, United States
First, request or obtain (free) tickets to attend Palm Sunday Mass at St. Peter's Square (however, I was not asked for my ticket to enter, but it's a nice souvenir.) On the morning of the mass I took Uber from my hotel at 6:35 am and arrived at 6:50 am at the corner of Borgo Vittorio & Via di Porta Angelica . The streets were quiet and my driver had no trouble dropping me off near the Vatican Walls where the line began on the east side. Upon my arrival I found approximately 200-300 people already in line. At 7:35 am the entrance was open and groups of 30 were allowed to approach the security screens. Once I was through security I was able to pick up an olive branch from the pile set out for the congregants. Also, at the entrance to each of the seating areas congregants were given a booklet for mass and a wooden rosary. I then headed to the area where I could easily get an end row seat to see the Palm Processional (midway between the Vatican Obelisk and the altar.) From this vantage point I was one of the few visitors to be given a 6 foot palm to hold during the processional. I was also able to see the entire processional unobstructed including watching Pope Francis (just a few feet away) walking to the obelisk for the Blessing of the Palms and then walking back to the altar. The mass was an incredible and beautiful service. After the mass concluded Francis then was driven around the crowd in his popemobile and I had a third opportunity to see him up close as he went by. (Also, for Catholics...communion is available to the crowd. The system that is used is 1) communion is only given to the congregant by the mouth (taking the communion by hand is not allowed 2) the priest stands at the end of one of the rows and begins giving communion out to each person who approaches him (which means that the row will need to negotiate between the chairs and other congregants to make their way to the priest.) At 12:30 pm I was able to make my way out of St. Peter's Square. Also, the only restroom I was able to determine that were open were the ones near the Vatican gift store/museum shop on the left hand side of St. Peter's Square.
5. St. Peter Enthroned
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 315 reviews
This masterpiece shows St. Peter sitting bearded and dressed as a philosopher, with his left hand carrying keys, the right hand being raised in blessing.
Reviewed By Y8837LLgabriela - Ploiesti, Romania
The bronze statue of St Peter sitting on a throne, with the keys of heaven in hand is situated in St Peter's Basilica. Other times it was possible to touch the foot of the statue, but with the new security regulations, you can't reach near the statue.
6. Monument to Alexander VII
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 264 reviews
In St. Peter's Chapel of the Sacrament is where Bernini's monument to Alexander VII is located.
Reviewed By AMohsen - Port Said, Egypt
This wonderful piece of art is found inside St. Peter basilica hall. It is vibrant by its fine details.
7. Vatican Grottoes
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 446 reviews
Beneath the main floor of St. Peter's Basilica are the tombs of several popes and saints.
Reviewed By asiyahnoemik - Pula, Croatia
Visit to St. Peter's Basilica is a special experience. And visiting the Vatican grottoes is also extremely interesting. Extending beneath St Peter's Basilica, the Vatican Grottoes contain the tombs and sarcophagi of numerous popes, as well as several huge columns from the original 4th-century basilica. In addition the grottoes also include some tombs of secular monarchs such as the tomb of Queen Charlotte of Cyprus, the tomb of the Stuarts, and the tomb of Queen Christina of Sweden. The entrance is in the Pier of St Andrew near the high altar. The place is full of fascinating tombs and sarcophagus, tunnels, chambers and Italian art. We loved seeing this part, because it is a very peaceful and serene walk past the remains of the popes who presided over the catholic church. Very interesting visit.
8. Vatican Necropolis
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 858 reviews
When Pius XII ordered a thorough excavation of the area under the High Altar in St. Peter's Basilica, twisting stone passages were found leading to an ancient Roman necropolis, which contained chambers 10- to 15-feet wide with preserved frescoes and mosaics.
Reviewed By MandySSS - Minneapolis, United States
A truly one of a kid tour. The Necropolis was where Christians buried their own before Roman rulers converted and actually persecuted the Christians. Apostle Peters bones are here where they guide claims thee is a 95 % chance they are his. Truly a amazing site whether you are a Christian or not!! No pictures allowed and a sacred place so dress appropriately and bring a small flashlight if possible. Also must make reservations through the Scavi Office of the Vatican.
9. Vatican City
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7,152 reviews
The world's smallest state, center of Catholicism, and home to the Pope.
Reviewed By NordicBlonde
As a party of 8 we had a guided tour of the Vatican which we had organised through our hotel concierge. Our guide, Gianluca Pica, was excellent. He was very knowledgeable and really seemed to enjoy sharing it all with us. He patiently answered all our questions and made the history of the Vatican come alive. The tour cost €60/hour with a minimum of 3 hours which was split between the whole group. We also paid extra for Fast Track tickets to beat the queues as they were quite long even though we were told it was fairly quiet as it was February. I would suggest to buy fast track even if you don’t want to use a tour guide as the queue for entering the Basilica without going through the museums went round the whole outer perimeter of St Peter’s Square! We toured the main parts of the Vatican museums, the Sistine Chapel and the Basilica and I would recommend Gianluca and Eyes of Rome to anyone who wants a really fun, interesting, informative and fascinating tour of any of Rome’s ancient or historical sites.
10. Porta Santa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 599 reviews
The Porta Santa, or Holy Door, was only opened by the Pope for Holy Year celebrations and closed at the end of 2000, and will remain sealed until 2025.
Reviewed By ChiefGuru - Decatur, United States
When visiting Vatican City, one essential stop is St. Peter's Basilica. After clearing through security and walking up to St. Peter's Basilica, visitors will observe the sealed Holy Door. This is the northernmost entrance (last door on the right) of the basilica and characterized by its sixteen panels. As per Christian tradition, the entry way is only opened on Jubilee years. In Christianity, a Jubilee is a special year of remission of sins and universal pardon. In Western Christianity, the tradition dates to 1300, when Pope Boniface VIII initiated a holy year tradition, following which ordinary jubilees have been celebrated every 100 years. Pope Clement VI reduced the period to every 50 years, Pope Urban VI to 35 and Pope Paul II to 25, with extraordinary jubilees in addition depending on need. In the case of St. Peter's, 2000 was a jubilee year and the next formal jubilee will be 2015. In the last century two extraordinary Holy Years of Redemption were also celebrated on the anniversary of Jesus' death on the Cross: 1933 (order by Pope Pius XI) and 1983 (ordered by John Paul II). More recently, on December 8, 2015, Pope Francis opened the Holy Door of Mercy in the Basilica of St. Peter, marking the official start of the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy. The Porta Sancta is bricked up on the inside. On the first day of the Holy Year the Pope strikes the brick wall with a hammer, and so opens the door to let in the pilgrims enter St. Peter's. It is also closed by the Pope at the end of the Holy Year. The Holy Door represents Jesus, the Good Shepherd and the gate of the sheep pen: "I am the gate. Whoever enters through me, will be safe. He will go in and out, and find pasture" (John 10:9). This entryway was traditionally blocked or barricaded to prevent use. Pope Benedict XIV (1748) commissioned a wood door installed. As the door fell into bad condition, Pope Pius XII (after closing the Holy Year 1950 on Christmas day) replaced them with the 16-panel bronze doors (modeled by Vico Consorti and cast by Ferdinando Marinelli Artistic Foundry) that is present today. The door is a work of art of symmetric structure, divided into sixteen rectangular panels distributed in four rows of four, divided by the coat-of-arms of the thirty six Popes, who had celebrated the ordinary Holy Years. The panels right to left and then top to bottom starting in the top left are 'The Angle at the Gates of Paradise,' 'The Fall,' 'Mary The Annunciation,' 'The Angel of the Annunciation,' 'Christ's Baptism in the Jordan,' 'The Lost Sheep,' 'The Merciful Father,' 'The Cure of a Paralytic,' 'The Woman who was a Sinner,' 'The Need for Forgiveness,' 'Peter's Denial,' 'In Front of the Crucifix The Good Thief,' 'The Appearance of Thomas,' 'Christ's Appearance to the Disciples,' 'The Conversion of Saul,' and 'Opening the Holy Door.' This historic door and its significance to Western Christianity should be observed when visiting Vatican City.
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